Assam: Four cops suspended for abandoning slain SP

Four policemen were suspended on Saturday for allegedly running away from an encounter with Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tiger militants in which Superintendent of Police Nityananda Goswami and his personal security officer were killed even as the family of the slain officer demanded a CBI probe.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi suspended the four personal security officers of the slain police official as they had fled from the encounter site leaving behind Hamren SP Goswami and another PSO Ratul Nunisa. 

The policemen were suspended with immediate effect and their role was being investigated, the sources said. Goswami’s wife Rekha demanded a CBI inquiry into the death of her husband.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju along with Assam Chief Minister paid their respects to Superintendent of Police of the Hamren district in Assam, who died on Thursday night during an encounter with tribal militants in the remote Rongphur area of the Jaintia Hills.

SP Nityananda Goswami and his personal security officer were shot down by members of the Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers in Assam when they were on an operation. Goswami was conferred full state honours.

Speaking about the demise of the senior cop, Rijiju said that he had come to the state on the suggestion of Home Minister Rajnath Singh and would review the law and order situation in the state. He said that he would also discuss with CM Gogoi ways methods that could be adopted so as to avoid such incidents in the future.

The MoS for Home added that he was scheduled to visit the state after the Parliament session but the tragic demise of the SP and his PSO brought him to the state earlier.

Trying to appeal to the militants, he said, “My appeal to the Ultras is why kill your own people?”

SP Nityananda Goswami was leading a police team of 18 cops from Hamren police district against the outlawed group in the remote Rongphur area of the Jaintia Hills when the militants opened fire against the SP and his personal security officer Ratul Nunisa.

Image: Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju places a wreath during the funeral of SP Nityananda Goswami.

With inputs from PTI